Ban Ticket Broker Sites

[evil horn]

and just for example, I'm an out of towner (nyc). and holding tickets for Friday night's show and a show in New Orleans. while I'm leaning towards Chicago, I won't be able to do both trips... ...unless I save Brooke Shields from drowning, and then you're all invited to come see the band play my birthday party.

[pillowy star]

Waiting until Ticketmaster eventually throws in a couple of hundred of more tickets - if you're really lucky, maybe also 5-day-passes - might be an option for people who live close anyway. However, it is not an option for people like us who'd have been willing to cough up $ 1500 for flights & hotel to see those 5 shows.

 

We decided not to risk booking flights at an early bird rate and then risk to not get tickets for the shows.

 

Turns out we were right; would have ended up with $ 1500 flights & hotels but most likely no tickets.

 

How sad has this world become, if you can't even go and see your favorite band even if you're willing to spend 1.5 k, only because this band like many others doesn't seem to be able to find a way to stop ticket brokers.

[Doug C]

Willcall only sales with ID would immediately end ticketbrokers and scalping. It is a simple solution but never happens. Sure, for a Springsteen or U2 type of show, the logistics of ticket pick up would be nightmarish but to use the old saying, if we can put a man on the moon, we can figure out distibution for tens of thousands of tickets. There is NO excuse for will call only sales not happening for Wilco-level bands.

 

Fortunately, I held my FL trip off too. I got the hotel booked but thankfully, I didn't pay for flights.

[ZenLunatic]

Willcall only sales with ID would immediately end ticketbrokers and scalping. It is a simple solution but never happens. Sure, for a Springsteen or U2 type of show, the logistics of ticket pick up would be nightmarish but to use the old saying, if we can put a man on the moon, we can figure out distibution for tens of thousands of tickets. There is NO excuse for will call only sales not happening for Wilco-level bands.

 

 

I agree with you guys on this. This would mean extra work at Will Call on the day of concert, but well worth it.

 

I do feel like Wilco will eventually do this or something about the situation. Mostly because I always felt Wilco as a band that cared about the fans. It really wasnt until this year that Wilco tickets were hard to get. Had no problems pre-2007.

 

For now, DONT BUY OVER FACE.

[Smokestack Joe]

i dont believe that Tweedy & Co. would like to hear that people arent going to their shows because tickets are $100-200+.

hell, they stream their albums for free!!

[pillowy star]

I do believe that Wilco wouldn't want brokers to rip off their fans with tickets they sold for a percentage of what those brokers charge for them.

 

Yet, they can't seem to find a way around it (yet)

 

It's not as if Wilco themselves were charging those prices, it's that people who aren't supposed to make a shitload of money with those tickets.

[Analogman]

That

[Lammycat]

For now, DONT BUY OVER FACE.

This is as much of an issue as the scalpers themselves. There is no shortage of folks who have no problem shelling out money for tix priced well above the face value. It's simply a supply/demand issue. I'm always amazed at the people who willingly slap down $100+ for a ticket to a concert.

 

I'd imagine the software will become illegal at some point but the scalpers/brokers aren't going away. I have trouble understanding why places like stub hub are allowed to gouge on the internet but the guy holding up tix for absurd prices outside the venue are deemed to be engaging in illegal activities. It's the same practice and I don't support either.

 

Simply put, if I don't get tix to a show it doesn't ruin my year/month/night, though.

[Doug C]

I do believe that Wilco wouldn't want brokers to rip off their fans with tickets they sold for a percentage of what those brokers charge for them.

 

Yet, they can't seem to find a way around it (yet)

 

It's not as if Wilco themselves were charging those prices, it's that people who aren't supposed to make a shitload of money with those tickets.

Will call only. "It's Just that simple". (And yes, I've said this several times )

[jc4prez]

My guess is that tickets will free up as we get closer. remember we have almost 60 days before the shows and some peoples plans will change, especially out of towners. You'll see the midweek tickets free up. Post your need on VC and hold on..

 

 

Your probably right. I don't think Ive been to a Wilco show (except at the vic) where their weren't people selling tickets out front.

[Edie]

Nobody should buy from scalpers if avoidable. If you have to buy from one, the prices will come down -- remember, these are asking prices. "Market value" is what people are willing to pay, not what sellers are willing to charge.

[M. (hristine]

This is as much of an issue as the scalpers themselves. There is no shortage of folks who have no problem shelling out money for tix priced well above the face value. It's simply a supply/demand issue. I'm always amazed at the people who willingly slap down $100+ for a ticket to a concert.

 

I'd imagine the software will become illegal at some point but the scalpers/brokers aren't going away. I have trouble understanding why places like stub hub are allowed to gouge on the internet but the guy holding up tix for absurd prices outside the venue are deemed to be engaging in illegal activities. It's the same practice and I don't support either.

 

Simply put, if I don't get tix to a show it doesn't ruin my year/month/night, though.

Yep.

[mountain bed]

This is as much of an issue as the scalpers themselves. There is no shortage of folks who have no problem shelling out money for tix priced well above the face value. It's simply a supply/demand issue. I'm always amazed at the people who willingly slap down $100+ for a ticket to a concert.

 

I'd imagine the software will become illegal at some point but the scalpers/brokers aren't going away. I have trouble understanding why places like stub hub are allowed to gouge on the internet but the guy holding up tix for absurd prices outside the venue are deemed to be engaging in illegal activities. It's the same practice and I don't support either.

 

Simply put, if I don't get tix to a show it doesn't ruin my year/month/night, though.

Here here!

[loraaw]

I see one guy on ebay selling "front row" seats for Nashville, $298. Actually, they're front row of a section that clearly starts more than halfway back on the floor.

 

How do you reports jokers like this?

[jenbobblehead]

all that aside, i think the point made by many is "how can the band be ok with all those tickets ending up at brokers?" and i think that is a perfectly valid question of a band that has always put fans on the front burner... I find it hard to believe that something more creative and less scalpy can't be thought up...

[Edie]

I agree.

[oceanman]

In searching the past few days I came across four tickets at $80.00 a pop(2 Fri and 2 Sat) including shipping and service charges. I had hoped not to do this but in all reality this was not a bad deal, only 30 bucks more than ticketmaster. Would I do it for another show......no, would I do it for myself.....no. Ends up Amy and I got a good deal for what I've seen lately on ebay and other broker sites. I stand completely against this, and would be willing to stand in the cold all day to get a ticket for face, but I wouldn't wan't to put her through that, and in coming in from out of town who knows. Merry Chistmas to her! If it were any other Wilco show I would scold myself for even considering this.(I cotributed to a cause I stand completely against). These will be monumental shows, got amtrak and hotel booked, can't wait to see you all there.

[Edie]

can't wait to see you all there.

 

[deepseacatfish]

To everyone, especially those without tickets:

 

I think Lammycat is right on the money here, and I can totally sympathize with Oceanman. It's sad that such an exciting block of shows has to become a dissatisfying mess over tickets.

 

I don't really have anything to offer you all but my sympathy and good wishes, hopefully those of you who want to go can get tickets in the end without breaking the bank. I can't make it to the Chicago shows this time around but I am looking forward to reading all the reviews, etc. just like with the living-room shows. If you end up coming to Des Moines I'd love to say hi--I'm guessing this one isn't selling out. In the meantime I hope those of you who want tickets can still get them, I'm rooting for you.

[Bubs101]

I think alot of you could be okay. I have the feeling that given how quick they sold out, the scalpers may have bought too much tickets which can often lead to tickets been sold for less.

 

As for the I.D. policy mentioned earlier with the Pumpkins example, I'm dead against it. How many of you have bought two tickets for a gig without knowing who that person is?. I.D.'s would stop that completely

[Lammycat]

One problem I have with the suggestions of Will Call only sales and being required to show an I.D. is that sometimes I can't make a show or simply choose not to go after purchasing a ticket. In these situations I usually give it to a friend or sell it at face value.

 

I like the availability and lee-way afforded of a hard-copy ticket. If I opt out of using my ticket I'd rather see it put to use by someone who wants to go to the show rather than it going to no use because of Will Call.

 

I mentioned in another thread (and I think someone said something similar here) that perhaps printing your own tickets and selling them through the mail should be looked into further by the band/bands in general. I have no idea of the burdens of doing so, but the benefits are that it's fair to Joe Fan.

 

It was a fair and decent system for the GD and a few other bands. It didn't cut down on scalpers, per se, but it was a decent and equitable distribution of tix. Fans actually had to do a little work to follow the rules and specifications, something the average scalper may be less inclined to submit to.

[jerryskid89]

As for the I.D. policy mentioned earlier with the Pumpkins example, I'm dead against it. How many of you have bought two tickets for a gig without knowing who that person is?. I.D.'s would stop that completely

 

The person that bought the tickets is the only one that needs to show an i.d.

[pillowy star]

I think alot of you could be okay. I have the feeling that given how quick they sold out, the scalpers may have bought too much tickets which can often lead to tickets been sold for less.

 

Absolutely right. Still, this is nothing that I would risk to book flight & hotel tickets ("no cancellation, no refund") on.

 

Ah well. A 2-week luxury break in a 5*****-resort in Egypt isn't too bad either

[JRiordan]

One problem I have with the suggestions of Will Call only sales and being required to show an I.D. is that sometimes I can't make a show or simply choose not to go after purchasing a ticket. In these situations I usually give it to a friend or sell it at face value.

 

I like the availability and lee-way afforded of a hard-copy ticket. If I opt out of using my ticket I'd rather see it put to use by someone who wants to go to the show rather than it going to no use because of Will Call.

 

For "regular" shows, yes it is nice to be able to give tickets to friends / sell to strangers for face if you can't make it. But for a special run like this, to prevent scalping, it really is the only way. If they put that system in place, and you're pretty sure you're can make the show(s), you buy tickets. If there is major doubt, don't buy in the first place. If you suddenly find out you can go last minute, well hopefully someone has an extra to bring you inside with them.

[OOO]

How about instead of having one of those "type in the random letters" things, they play you a 10 second clip of a wilco song, and then you type the exact name of the song. (or you pick from a list of 100 wilco songs) This gets rid of most scalpers and spambots.

 

...and it'd be fun.